"...It's okay. Compared to my trivial matters, comrades are the most important."
Teppei laughed, "In the past, I could only contribute to everyone in logistics. Later, I finally got to the battlefield and thought it was my time to achieve glory, only to fall into the Fatui's trap. Although I already know about this, many brothers still don't. They are still using that stuff, and their lives are slowly fading away. I... won't allow this to happen."
"You're right; the Vision Hunt Decree has been canceled, and continuing to fight is meaningless. I... will go to Lady Sangonomiya and ask her to stop fighting, to prevent any more brothers from sacrificing themselves."
Teppei, struggling, half-knelt on the ground, placed his hands in front of him, and looked up at Durandal: "If... if the loyalty of someone as insignificant as me can truly change all of this, then... I will pledge my allegiance to you, my Lady."
"...Very good."
Durandal nodded in satisfaction, and Lumine also showed an appreciative smile.
She hadn't expected a randomly captured prisoner to have such conviction. Lumine even wanted to become good brothers with him and guide him well on how to fight, so he could make a name for himself.
"Next is the final test. If you can endure it, your future will undergo a great change. If not, your situation might become worse. Come, let me see how strong your resolve to protect those people truly is."
With that, Durandal released the magic orb from her hand. The magic orb slowly flew to Teppei's chest and merged into his body.
This was a trial, a trial of Teppei's conviction. If his resolve was truly that strong, then the trial of fusing with the magic orb would not defeat him.
This was a very painful process, but Lumine and Durandal believed he could endure it; he... could do it.
Soon, Shenhe and Paimon, who were on lookout outside, heard a very strong wail. Paimon thought the sound was from torture and was trembling uncontrollably, but only Shenhe seemed to understand something.
— — — — — — — — — — — —
That afternoon, at the Watatsumi Island resistance headquarters, the stationed soldiers saw several approaching figures and were preparing to defend themselves, but quickly relaxed when they saw the one leading them.
"You're back, Teppei. Seriously, why were you gone so long this time? I thought you were attacked by the Shogunate samurai."
"Hahaha~ Sorry for making you worry. I didn't encounter any trouble. Now I can take down a few Shogunate samurai by myself, so the situation you're worried about won't happen at all."
"Okay, okay, I get it. Seriously, I keep hearing you say things like that lately. I heard that Lady Sangonomiya is preparing to appoint you as the captain of a brand new special operations team—the [Herring First Squad]. You've finally made a name for yourself."
Teppei had told his comrades more than once that he wanted to achieve glory. In the past, he lacked the ability, so these words were just something to listen to.
Although they didn't know how he suddenly became so powerful, they were happy to see his current achievements.
"If there's a chance, we should celebrate properly. Remember to find us for a drink; we'll treat you well then."
"Definitely, definitely."
The two sides chatted for a bit before he looked at the blonde Damselette behind Teppei, and the very strange little person beside her.
If Teppei hadn't brought them over, he would have suspected this person was from the Shogunate.
"Who are they, Teppei?"
"Oh, I met them at Nameki Shrine. They are also people who can't stand the Shogunate's actions and want to join the Rebel Army to help us fight the Shogunate, outsiders."
There were also many outsiders within the Rebel Army, so when he heard Lumine was from another country, the soldier's suspicion lessened a bit.
He asked Teppei if these two were trustworthy. Teppei said he didn't know the situation yet, but he would be responsible for watching them and confirming whether they were trustworthy.
"I'm going to take them to Lady Sangonomiya. Is Lady Sangonomiya still here?"
"Yes, Lady Sangonomiya is currently working. You can go ahead."
Although he was a bit uneasy, a few young girls couldn't cause any bad influence, so he let them pass.
Teppei thus easily led Lumine and Paimon through the checkpoint. There were still a few soldiers guarding ahead, but with Teppei's explanation, none of them intended to stop Lumine.
It wasn't until there was no one else nearby that Teppei breathed a sigh of relief. It was his first time deceiving his comrades, and the feeling was quite strange. He hoped it wouldn't happen again.
"You two follow me. I'll take you to meet Lady Sangonomiya. I believe with Lady Sangonomiya's wisdom, she will understand how to choose."
To avoid being discovered by the Rebel Army, Durandal and Shenhe temporarily stayed inside the Serenitea Pot, waiting to come out when they met Sangonomiya Kokomi.
To catch the bandit, first catch the king. As the supreme leader of the Rebel Army, once Sangonomiya Kokomi's work was completed, other matters would be much easier.
Teppei was initially reluctant, but after confirming that Sangonomiya Kokomi would not be harmed, he reluctantly agreed to bring everyone over.
The Sangonomiya Shrine was very beautiful, like a fairyland. The location of the Sangonomiya they were looking for was very obvious, in a building with a giant seashell, where she conducted her affairs.
Through Teppei, the group easily entered the house and met Sangonomiya Kokomi, who was reviewing intelligence. The other party was a very beautiful young woman.
The moment she saw the other party, Lumine began to tremble unnaturally.
Paimon sighed at the sight; she knew Lumine was having one of her episodes again.
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